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Advice, please, re: ACT test/college, etc.


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I don’t post here often but I’m in need of advice, please.

Background: we are Florida residents (military family) stationed in NC. My 15yo dd took ACTs on Oct. 24th. She took the test because she is planning on taking CC courses in NC and needed an ACT score of 20 in order to bypass the CC entrance exam. This was her first standardized test (ACT, SAT, or PSAT). She did very little ACT prep, and we weren’t expecting much (just the minimum score of 20 for CC). We were absolutely BLOWN away and shocked that she got a 31 composite. While this score is certainly not “off the charts†so to speak, to us it was a blessing beyond our expectations. We literally cried. It was VERY unexpected.

 

Her composite score makes dd eligible for the Bright Futures scholarship program in Florida (military families with FL residency are eligible). With her score, she qualifies for a full tuition scholarship (after 75 hours community service). So, here are my questions. Since she is only 15, should dd have her scores sent to any colleges at this time? Would it be of any benefit? She will have enough credits to graduate one year early (though I don’t think I want that to happen), but that would still mean not making application to any schools until next fall. So what do we do at this point? Also, should she retake the ACTs and try for a higher score (obviously there is room for improvement). My honest concern, however, is what would happen if she did worse??!! Doesn’t it look bad if the score drops? Can you choose to only send the highest score? Or must all scores be sent?

 

I would really appreciate any guidance anyone can give me. Since she is our oldest child, we are in uncharted territory.

Thank you, in advance.

Erika

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Oh, believe me, colleges will find her!! That is a great score!!! And you can request only the highest score be sent. Just do not have her fill out the test form to get any free reports sent if she takes it again...wait to see the scores then decide, and pay the nominal fee to send the scores that are best.

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Thank you for your response.

I've always heard that colleges seek out students who score more in the 33 or above range. Have I heard wrong? I'm just thrilled she will qualify for the Bright Futures scholarship in FL!

I will definitely have her retake since we can choose not to send scores if they are lower (relief!). Would there be any point in sending her scores to any FL colleges at this point in time? (We didn't have scores sent anywhere.) Or, should we just hold off on sending any scores?

Again, thanks. Things are suddenly seeming so complicated.

Blessings!

Erika

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Congrats to your daughter! My son scored a 31 last year and has received lots and lots of mail. As JFS said, they will find you. A friend scored a 34 and has received an amazing amount of very generous offers.

 

We too are in FL but not going for Bright Futures as he is an athlete and no FL schools are a good match both in his sport and his major. He did apply to one FL school and was offered a minimum of $13,000 a year.

 

As far as taking the test again, I would choose carefully. Some schools do not allow score choice and all scores go out. I know one of the schools my son visited required all scores. Here is a link to a discussion about it on College Confidential. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/643457-list-colleges-opting-out-sat-score-choice.html

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Oh wow, very good scores! With the ACT, you have score choice and can send your best score when she's ready to apply. She should take at least once more ACT and SAT and prep next time. Her score is bound to go up and just a few more points will put her in the running for admission to very selective colleges and scholarships. This should be motivation for her to keep working hard.

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Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

 

Kate in FL: That's awesome for your son! It would be amazing if my dd was offered $ from any school in addition to the Bright Futures scholarship $. That would secure room/board. I am going to read the college confidential link for more info. regarding scores. Thanks!

 

Mrs Mungo: Thanks for your response. She is in 10th grade (by age). However, credit-wise, she could be considered 11th grade. She was planning to take the PSATs next year. I'm not sure how she will score. She has not done any SAT prep yet (except SAT question of the day sent via email each day). As far as ACT prep, she did about a month's prep and 1 practice test (which she only scored a 27)...hence the reason we were shocked by the 31! I suppose she should begin SAT prep and try the PSATs next Oct. It couldn't hurt, right?!

 

Elisa: Thanks! If it won't hurt her, I think she probably should try the ACTs one more time. Her dream college is Wake Forest. However, we definitely don't have Wake Forest money :tongue_smilie:, and I'm sure a 31 will not get her much $ there.

 

All of a sudden I'm getting very excited about college prospects. What seemed so far off has become very real to us now.

Thanks, again, for all the info!

Blessings.

Erika

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Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

 

 

Elisa: Thanks! If it won't hurt her, I think she probably should try the ACTs one more time. Her dream college is Wake Forest. However, we definitely don't have Wake Forest money :tongue_smilie:, and I'm sure a 31 will not get her much $ there.

 

All of a sudden I'm getting very excited about college prospects. What seemed so far off has become very real to us now.

Thanks, again, for all the info!

Blessings.

Erika

 

DS has only a 28 and he has so far been offered up to $36,000 - from a pricy school. A 31 should get plenty of scholarship money - do NOT rule out Wake Forest!!!! Her score and a great GPA could be the key to unlock many doors!

 

OK - just back from looking at Wake Forest website - no reason NOT to apply when she is a little older - they do have many merit scholarships! I'd have her try the ACT again, just to see if they score goes up any, keep her grades high and get AP/Honors classes, too...and make sure she has a decent extra-curricular activity and some sort of community service. I'd go ahead and write the school now, too - point out her age/ACT score, interest in Wake Forest...and ask them what courses they'd like to see her tackle next year. You are asking the questions as an excuse to make them aware of your dd at this time :-) . Ask if they have a summer program for teens she could do next summer. Schools love a kid who looks really, REALLY interested in them in addition to being academically strong.

Edited by JFSinIL
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JFS in IL... this is excellent advice. I would've never thought to contact Wake Forest now. I'm definitely going to sit down with dd and craft a letter in the manner you've described. As far as APs are concerned, she is currently taking AP Bio. She will also be taking AP Govt beginning in January. These, along with CC courses and a strong GPA, will hopefully bode well for her when the time comes to apply. Thanks, again, for the awesome advice!

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Just a thought - if she takes CC courses first she may no longer count as a freshman to the four-year places that offer the big bucks - most merit scholarships are for in-coming FRESHMAN!!! I's contact Wake Forest and talk to them - they may recommend NOT taking more than one or two cc course so she can still qualify for the merit scholarships.

 

The things that occur to me in the middle of the night!

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My teen was accepted to Wake Forest when she applied last year. She had taken quite a few community college classes and was still accepted as a freshman, so I'm guessing that (number of community college classes taken) will not be an issue.

 

Regards,

Kareni

Edited by Kareni
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That is a good point about CC credits. I think I will call to verify that CC classes won't hurt her chances of maintaining Freshman status. Though it's encouraging to hear that cc credits were acceptable for both Kareni and Kay in FL's dc, I think I will call WFU to verify that there is not a limit to the number of credits that are acceptable for an applicant to be considered a Freshman.

Thanks to all!

Erika

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Just a thought - if she takes CC courses first she may no longer count as a freshman to the four-year places that offer the big bucks - most merit scholarships are for in-coming FRESHMAN!!! I's contact Wake Forest and talk to them - they may recommend NOT taking more than one or two cc course so she can still qualify for the merit scholarships.

 

The things that occur to me in the middle of the night!

My ds is a senior/college sophomore. He started taking CC classes as a hs sophomore and now takes the majority of his classes there. So long as you identify her as a high student and call the CC classes dual enrollment, she will qualify for scholarships that are only offered to freshmen. My ds has been talking to several colleges about this. He thinks he will probably go to Cornell.
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whose daughter graduated from a public high school with an IB diploma and 45 hours of college credit via AP and IB courses. She got a full ride at the University of Florida but did have to forfeit 15 of her hours to be considered a freshman and get the full ride. She loves history, so she forfeited those hours and took freshman level history courses which she breezed through.

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Congrats! A 31 is awesome! And considered high! It really depends on the school as to offers. Many schools consider a 31 worthy of full scholarships. State schools are especially generous. My oldest DS is on a full scholarship with a 28.

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